using my unsecured to increase score.........

i have an unsecured card through applied bank with a CL of $250. i make an automatic monthly donation to a smithsonian museum for $5 on the 20th of every month and then on the 5th of every month $7is taken out of BOA debit card to pay for it.

even though the applied card reports to all three CRA, it seems like this is doing nothing/zero for my credit score, since i usually have a $2 credit on my credit card account. what could i do to change it? should i use the card more? should i use it enough to take the utilization from 0% to 5 -9%?

Re: using my unsecured to increase score.........

rootpooty wrote:Is this your only card? What is the reported util been the past few mos?

yes its my only card. the utility has been 0%.i just got the card in may started using it in may this year. i've never bought anything with it, just signed up to do auto donations to the museum and to have the amount paid back via my BOA card

in case anybody asks, the extra $2 is from the 7bucks that comes from my debit card. when i 1st signed up for the debit payments, the applied bank CSR said i should have a little more taken out just in case interest is charged.

jd5189: my credit scores are as of 10/9/12 3pm

experian 585

equifax 561

transunion 585

idk if these are FAKO or fico because they're from USAA credit monitoring

Re: using my unsecured to increase score.........

Have you pulled your reports or just the scores? It seems there are derogatory accounts somewhere in your credit files because with on-time SL payments and even the secured card your scores should be somewhere in the 600's (at least mid 600's I would have to guess).

Pull your free yearly CR from one of the agencies (doesn't matter which one as they all seem to be in the same score range). Look through it. Until you find out what the derogatory is on your account, your unsecured card will not do much for your scores.

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